Interviews

Would you say Australia has a thriving scene for black metal? How well known are you in your home country? What are your plans to broaden your audience internationally?

I would say no, not really. Most “Black Metal” from this country ranges from being a mediocre clone of early 90’s stuff, to complete rubbish. The two standout bands playing Black Metal remain Denouncement Pyre and Erebus Enthroned in my opinion. Impious Baptism is not very well known in this country and I have no “plans” to broaden the audience internationally. Hells Headbangers do a good job with promotion and that is more than enough for me.

Where do you draw your musical and lyrical inspiration from?

When I am working on music and lyrics I like to isolate myself as much as possible from the outside world. I go into my own space, both physically and mentally and start writing. What comes out, comes out, so inspiration comes from that hidden place within.

How does the writing and recording process work with just one person? Do you use a drum machine or play yourself? How long does it take you?

I write all the music, and record all the music. I use a drum machine during the writing process but once the songs have taken shape I essentially “rehearse” them with acoustic drums until they are finalized. There is no defined “time” it takes to work this way. It happens when it happens.

Is your upcoming album a DIY effort or did you get help with the recording and production?

Totally DIY, in all aspects. I own my own recording studio (www.i-hqrecordings.blogspot.com.au) so everything is written and produced there.

Would you ever play live shows? If so, who would you consider using as session musicians?

No.

How did you end up getting signed to Hell’s Headbangers?

I knew Chase for a while, sent him the first Impious Baptism demo which resulted in a 7”EP. From there I asked if they want to release an album and the rest is as they say, history

Will Impious Baptism remain a solo project or do you think you’d ever take on full time band members?

I’ve no plans to make this anything more than a solo project.

What does the future have in store for your music?

I have a lot of new material in the works so sometime in mid 2013 I will start working seriously and putting it all together for another album which I estimate will be recorded sometime early next year. For the immediate, the first album will be out very soon along with shirts and some other merch.

IMPIOUS BAPTISM is your solo project whereas you formerly played with bands such as Deströyer 666 and Nocturnal Graves. What made you start IMPIOUS BAPTISM as a solo project?

When Nocturnal Graves was originally put to rest, I still wanted to play music. I just had to take something like a break to clear my head and get some new direction. I had wanted to do a solo band like Impious Baptism for many years and with the right circumstances it just happened. Whilst being part of a band is great, I enjoy the solo environment where I can work at my pace, and not have to rely on others. For Impious Baptism it really works, whereas for a band like Nocturnal Graves it doesn’t (which needs a live/band atmosphere).

Also, we are again active with Nocturnal Graves. We have a new line-up and completed recording our second album “...From the Bloodline of Cain” which will be out on Hells Headbangers in mid 2013.

Judging by your debut album for Hells Headbangers, you enjoy playing rather a traditional style of death/ black metal. Do you think it is still important to stick to the old ideals and stand against too much experimentation with metal music?

When speaking about Metal I generally listen to traditional sounding stuff, in all its forms. I’m not against experimentation as long as it does not dilute the feeling that real metal carries within its heart. I guess it depends upon what you mean with experimentation though. I would consider something like The Ruins of Beverast “Foulest Semen...” LP as quite experimental, and that level of experimentation really works. I have some ideas for the next Impious Baptism recording that might be considered “experimental”, but to me it will only plunge the sound of the band further into the Abyss, and it will be extremely heavy and dark. Let’s see!

Starting from your logo over your album’s title till the lay-out design for the new record, it is evident you nudge anti-Christian sentiments. Apart from just copying the prevalent evil image in metal music, you are yourself occupied with occult topics. Would you like to elaborate on that?

I am more interested in what is real. In saying that, I often use metaphors in my lyrics in order to convey things which are very real to me personally. I study the “Occult” and through these “hidden” currents I work my will upon the world. It’s the path I have chosen and I walk the path which has been illuminated before me.

What do you think about orthodox death metal bands opting for blasphemous concepts because of the sound they play?

It’s up to each band to decide what they want to do, I don’t really care. If its good I’ll listen to it. If not, I won’t.

Nowadays, extreme metal has conquered many fields of everyday life. Is there still a potential for provocation in heavy metal? I mean, the blasphemy abounds on metal records so should metal head towards other messages and visual designs?

To be honest, I don’t think about this kind of thing so much. I am too absorbed in my own work to worry about Metal in the greater collective. But I will say that usually, these blasphemous kinds of artwork or lyrics are too cartoon like to make an impact visually/mentally on anyone with a rational mind. Upsetting some bible wielding nutcase with a picture of Jesus being torn from the cross is one thing, but actually affecting the world on a greater scale through visuals and lyrics are another. I don’t think Moyen style artwork is going to inspire a revolution... Looking deeper at the subject though, is there any need to actually invite “normal” people into the world of Black/Death Metal? I wouldn’t say so.

“Wrath Of The Apex Predator“ really sounds uncompromising. Do you think you can keep Australian summer on a distance? Usually, people would suggest such music as yours comes from other places.

The Australian summer isn’t a factor in the music I write. The feelings and the purpose behind the music come from somewhere above and beyond the normal “everyday” realm. So geographically speaking if I were living anywhere else on the earth, I’d still be writing what I am writing through Impious Baptism.

On the other hand, there is a tradition for this kind of fast oldschool death metal in Australia, as bands like Bestial Warlust and Sadistik Exekution used to play this sort of frantic metal.

True, and they were great times when those bands were in their peak.

In between the harsh metal songs you play interludes on keyboard. Is it for enhancing the atmosphere?

Totally. I wanted to whole album to have a continuance, with no silence between songs, which can instead it be viewed as one long piece made up of 9 chapters.

You don’t plan to play live. Several musicians today are convinced they can only raise some interest for their albums by playing concerts. What do you think about IMPIOUS BAPTISM a total studio project?

I seriously do not care if the band is unknown, or well known, and Impious Baptism was always going to be a studio band only. Recording for me is the most enjoyable aspect of being in a band, seeing your creations and ideas come to life. Playing live is the best promotional tool for a band, but that level or way of promotion isn’t on the agenda for Impious Baptism. Our work with Nocturnal Graves definitely fills that part of the void.

Lyrically, you follow a red thread through the album: stories about black magic, power and archaism. What is it that really fascinates you at these topics? Now when the earth is covered by many conflicts, real evil might rather be found in regions where atrocities are committed on a regular basis, wouldn’t it?

My lyrics and the concepts that drive them are beyond mundane concepts like “evil atrocities being committed upon the earth”. I am not merely interested in the concepts you mentioned. After all these years they have become such a workable part of my existence, that it has become everything which drives me as a living being. I look upon the world as if every person is their own universe and therefore I focus upon mine and the people who make up my universe. I do not consider my lyrics or passions evil either. But the concept of “evil” is very much a multi-faceted one, and depending upon where you stand, the face of “evil” changes. On one hand I consider anything which inhibits the search for wisdom and empowerment to be “evil”, be that church and state, or stupidity and laziness. On the other, I consider anything which challenges and opens the mind towards personal re lution to be “evil”, but this time in a positive context. Power through enlightenment is a continuing cycle and not a final destination for me. Through the manifestation of each new vision, I walk the path of the creator.

Metal Hails J.! how is life in Australia these days? Please introduce yourself to the readers.

Things here are good, busy with music and other positive things…

At what age did you first become interested in playing music?What was the first instrument you learned to play?

I was interested in music from a very young age. I started to listen to heavy metal in about 1987 and when I was 10 or 11 I started with guitar. I then got into playing drums at around age 13.

Are you self-taught or did you take guitar,bass lessons growing up?Who are some of your influences,favorite musicians? Are their any instruments you don't play that you would like to learn to play someday?

I am self-taught on the guitar, but drums I am still actually taking lessons (and I also teach drums). I have a lot of influences and I am listening to a wide variety of music from 60’s/70’s Rock/Prog, Metal, Ambient/Industrial etc. For example I like a lot of different drummers of vastly different styles for vastly different reasons. All the “legends” of the instrument like Buddy Rich, Dave Weckyl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Virgil Donati, Dennis Chambers are inspirational, but I also like to hear good Metal drummers like Nico McBrain, Dave Lombardo etc. I’d like to be able to play piano, which is something I will do someday.

Impious Baptism is your new band when did you get the idea to start this band?How did you come up with the name for the project?

The idea behind the band was something that I had wanted to do for a long time (since the early 90’s). I came up with the name by joining two words together, that I felt summed up the sound and direction of the band.

You are sole member of the band when you started Impious Baptism when you started the band did you plan to work alone? Have you searched for other musicians to join the band?

Yes, Impious Baptism was and is always going to be a one-man band. There is no need to search for other musicians due to this fact alone.

If you could work with musicians {past or present} who are some musicians you would love to work with?

Anyone of like mind who share similar ideas about music, and someone who I can learn new things from.

For the readers who don't know you used to be in the bands Destroyer 666 and Destruktor.Since you have been in both one man bands and full-bands i was wondering which do you prefer? And what do you feel are the advantges and disadvantges to being in a one-man band?

Both have advantages and disadvantages to some degree. The advantage of being a one man band is the ability to work at my own pace and not having to rely on anyone else. The main disadvantage is having to take care of all other matters related to the band by myself as I cannot delegate responsibilities.

Impious Baptism recently released the debut release "wrath of the apex predator"through Hells Headbangers Rec. how did you come in contact with the label?

I have known Chase from Hells Headbangers for years, through trading with his label when I was doing Apocalyptor Records. I sent him the demo and he offered to do a 7”. The deal for the album was a result of that 7”.

How long did it take to write and record the songs for this release?Are you happy with how it all turned out?

About 12 months. Some songs were old ones I had written but never used, but all in all, about 12 months to get it all together and record it. I am quite satisfied with the album, but there are always things in retrospect that I would have changed or done a bit differently. The new stuff which is being slowly worked on is the perfect platform to work in some of the ideas I had in retrospect of recording the first album though.

How has the response been from the press and the fans?

Fine as far as I can see… but I’m not keeping my ear too closely to the ground on this. I don’t really care about the response to my work, it’s not something that drives me to create music or art. But for the labels sake, I hope the release is well received.

You have been a part of the underground for many years now so i was interested in your opinion of the metal scene today?What is your opinion of the internet,web-zines,etc.. do you feel technology has helped the underground or hurt it?
Honestly, I don’t care about any of it.

In your opinion what is the best and worst thing about the underground scene? And what does the term "underground metal" mean to you?

Again, I don’t care at all about this stuff. But as far as my common answer goes, the underground is dead. It died when the internet replaced letters and tape trading, and when the “underground” became accessible to anyone. For me all of it changed somewhere in the late 90’s.

You live in the great country of Australia,i have been a "fan" of Australia's metal scene for many years now.I was interested in your opinion of Australia's metal scene?

The Australian scene is alright. There are some good bands and a lot of average ones that don’t move me in any way. The live scene is ok but for me personally, I don’t go to many gigs these days, so again, I don’t really care.

1Who are some of your all-time favorite Australian metal bands? Are their any new metal bands from Australia that you feel the readers should check out soon?

Slaughterlord, SadEx, Corpse Molestation/Bestial Warlust, old Abominator, Mortal Sin, Entasis, Disembowelment, Hobbs, D’666 etc. All the old classics. These days Denouncement Pyre, Erebus Enthroned, Portal, Cauldron Black Ram and a few others are at the top of the food chain in my opinion.

Well J. we have reached the end of the interview thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out.Do you have any final comments for the readers?

Thank you. Check out the album when it’s available. Shirts, hoods and other merch will be available from me personally or Hells Headbangers in the coming weeks.